Whiplash & Neck Injuries From Accidents

Head, neck, and back injuries are unfortunately all too common in car accidents throughout Arizona. These types of injuries can cause a wide range of effects, ranging from mild sprains to broken bones that can result in lifelong impairment or death. After suffering a neck injury in a rear-end accident, you may not know what your options are.

If you are suffering from whiplash or another neck injury due to the negligence of someone else, do not hesitate to contact our personal injury attorney in Phoenix today. Our lawyer has extensive experience with lawsuits concerning these injuries nationwide and is prepared to fight for your right to justice and compensation. Reach out now or fill out an online form on our website – don’t wait any longer!

Understanding Mechanism Of Neck Injury

To understand the severity of your neck injury, medical professionals need to observe what happened during the traumatic event that led to it. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a clear explanation for how this mechanism of injury occurred, jurors may not comprehend why exactly you deserve compensation. This could significantly impact your chances of obtaining an adequate settlement amount for any resulting damages or losses.

If a lawyer is not well-versed in medical knowledge, their ability to adequately advocate for the gravity of their client’s injuries will be impaired. This can lead to an unsuccessful case outcome and decreased possibility of receiving generous compensation through a settlement. The more serious your neck trauma may be, the greater its negative impacts become on you as well as your likelihood of success in court proceedings. To provide insight into potential repercussions from auto accident-related events, here are three commonly occurring types of neck traumas:

  • Cervical vertebrae fractures, as well as damage or rupture to the ligaments and soft tissue connecting them
  • Spinal cord or disc damage caused by shearing and bending between the cervical vertebrae, physical stretching of the spinal cord, or direct impingement by fractured vertebrae
  • Damage to soft tissues surrounding the trachea, larynx, and esophagus as well as major arteries and veins in both the head and brain

Hyperextension

A hyperextension-induced neck injury can cause lasting harm to the fragile tissues of your neck, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. This may not be life-threatening, but it could lead to permanent disability which should absolutely warrant a compensation request. If you know what kind of force caused this damage (such as a direct impact from an accident), this knowledge can serve as scientific proof for your medical claim.

Hyperextension injuries generally lead to vertebrae or spine displacement, but in some rare cases can cause full dislocation. Thankfully, this is more easily diagnosed via an x-ray or Institute of insurance image – this evidence will be incredibly useful if you’re making a whiplash compensation claim following a car accident.

Compression-Flexion

In the event of a rear-end or t-bone collision, when the head is bent forward it can often lead to vertebrae wedge and burst fractures. Moreover, spine dislocations are also a frequent side effect due to this violent motion which causes necks to snap quickly forward and then backward towards the headrest or away from it. As such, most neck injuries experienced in car accidents consist of flexion-extension injuries as well.

Compression-Extension

When the face absorbs an impact when the head is in a neutral or bent position, this can result in fractures of spinal processes and damaging load-bearing surfaces, with potential spine dislocations.

Tension-Extension

When the body experiences a sudden thrust, head acceleration can occur through the neck. This is called tension extension, and it happens to passengers who are seated in rear-facing seats that don’t have or lack an effective headrest.

Common Neck Injuries Caused In Car Accidents

While minor injuries, such as scrapes or bruises that don’t cause lasting pain or harm, often have the ability to self-heal, car accidents are too frequently responsible for a more serious neck damage. Examples of these include whiplash, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord injury. Severe damage from a crash necessitates extensive medical attention and an extended recovery period.

  • Muscle or tendon strains
  • Whiplash injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Headaches
  • Concussion

Although these minor injuries may be quite painful and could necessitate medical attention, they will usually subside eventually. It is nonetheless prudent to seek out proper medical care right away after any injury occurs – particularly brain-related traumas like concussions that might become exacerbated if left untreated over time.

  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), or
  • Whiplash

 

Injured? Call Klink Law, PLLC

 

Recoverable Damages From Neck Injuries

Every neck injury claim is distinct and has its own settlement value. Although, many victims of vehicle accidents who suffer from neck injuries may receive some form of financial compensation as listed below – the most frequent types:

  • Payment of all related medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses caused by the injuries
  • Payment for the income you lose when having to receive medical treatment and time off from work because of your injuries.
  • The accident victim is compensated for all of the suffering, pain, and inconvenience that he or she has to endure because of the injuries sustained in the accident.
  • Compensation for a permanent neck injury or disability that resulted from the car accident
  • Compensation for temporary or permanent loss of earning capacity or inability to work because of the neck injury
  • Compensation for loss of spousal companionship or support that is related to the neck injury

If you have encountered a car accident in Arizona and now suffer from a neck injury, enlisting the aid of an expert Phoenix neck injury lawyer can guarantee that you will obtain the compensation you are entitled to. Your attorney is capable of fighting for your rights in court if necessary, ensuring that insurance providers give fair payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Insurance Adjusters Calculate Settlement Values?

An adjuster employed by an insurance company is focused on saving the insurer as much money as possible. They will scrutinize medical records, accident reports, and other paperwork to do so. Unlike them, a personal injury lawyer has another outlook; they approach your case with the intention of getting you maximum compensation for your injuries. To them, you are an injured person in need of appropriate care and recompense; but to the adjuster, you are just a cost-draining claim number.

Insurance adjusters may try to use any weaknesses in your case or lack of representation as a way of reducing or eliminating the compensation you are owed. Therefore, it’s essential that when they present their initial settlement offer, you never accept it—it is most likely undervalued and does not reflect how serious your injuries actually are.

How Much Is the Average Settlement for a Neck Injury After a Car Accident?

While the amount of compensation for a car accident-related neck injury is contingent on your unique circumstances, in general, those with more severe injuries may receive larger settlements from the liable person. Consider this: Temporary lower back pain likely warrants less pay than permanent spinal cord damage.

From minor bumps and bruises to more serious trauma, auto accident settlements vary greatly. Generally speaking, the average is between $2,500 and $10,000 for non-serious injuries with no need for physical therapy or injections. Neck and back injuries that require medical attention can result in settlements as high as $30,000 while broken bones or other significant trauma could mean a settlement surpassing six digits – over $100k!

Why Does The Average Settlement For A Car Accident Vary So Much?

Due to the wide range of variables involved in car accident cases, it is difficult to estimate an average settlement amount. Factors like the location and liability status of your incident can drastically alter how much compensation you should expect from a claim.

All injuries incurred from motor vehicle collisions come with a unique set of circumstances, ranging in severity and associated medical costs. The more excruciating the damage is, the greater distress you could suffer. Certain regions even allow for damages to be claimed due to loss of life’s pleasures if your injury prevents you from participating in activities that once brought joy. Depending on how far-reaching these issues are, they can potentially increase your settlement offer substantially.

Contact Our Maricopa County Neck Injury Attorney Today

If you’re concerned that the insurance company’s compensation for your neck injury claim won’t cover all of your medical bills, don’t fret – we can provide some insight. How much do car accident-related neck injury settlements usually amount to? Reach out to Klink Law, PLLC, and receive a free consultation today! We’ll help get you on track toward getting the financial support you need so that you can focus on recovery.